Edgar Allan Poe
Poe's "Five Qualities of a Short Story"
1. It should have a "totality of effect."
(it needs to work well as a full unit... not just as smaller parts/sections)
2. It should "begin with the first sentence."
(not a huge exposition)
3. It should "aim at the truth."
4. It should be short.
5. It should have no "loose ends."